Pokes Have a Chance in Ames Without Mistakes
STILLWATER -- Saturday night after the Homecoming game against Baylor, I wrote how turnovers plagued the Pokes and were ultimately the reason Baylor won.
We all know just how quickly momentum can change and take a game in a completely different direction.
If Spencer Sanders connects with Jordan McCray in the end zone at the end of the first half, Oklahoma State goes into halftime with a 20-10 lead instead of just 13-10. Then the game looks completely different because OSU held Baylor to a punt on their opening drive of the second half, and Chuba Hubbard scored a touchdown with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter. The Pokes are then up 27-10, a lead, and a swing of momentum that Baylor probably couldn't have overcome.
As it is, Sanders threw the interception, and turned the ball over twice more, one leading to a touchdown.
Iowa State is probably Oklahoma State's toughest challenge they've had all season. Through the first seven games of the 2019 season, quarterback Brock Purdy's accounted for 2,185 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He's also rushed the ball 63 times for 399 yards and five touchdowns.
He's also led the Cyclones to a 9-2 Big 12 record in his two seasons as the starter.
If Oklahoma State can limit their turnovers and mental lapses, they'll have a chance at winning in Ames this Saturday.
"Our greatest challenge to date," said Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. "Obviously a very talented team, very skilled Oklahoma State team, and as we know, a really well-coached Oklahoma State team coming in here. A team that's probably got the best group of playmakers we've seen to date. It will be a great challenge for our football team."
Obviously, in 2019, the first playmaker that comes to mind when thinking Oklahoma State football is running back Chuba Hubbard.
Through the first seven games of the season, Hubbard's amassed an impressive 1,265 yards and 15 touchdowns, that's an average of 180.7 yards per game.
"He's a complete tailback," said Campbell. "I think the thing for me that's so impressive is his ability to make all the runs, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. We've been fortunate in my time here to be able to coach some really good running backs, and he's got all the qualities that great running backs have the ability to do."
It's going to be a tough challenge this weekend for Oklahoma State any way you slice it. But, again, I like the Pokes' chances if they just limit the turnovers and mental mistakes.
